Horses, like their canine and human counterparts, have become heavier in recent years. A new study has found that this “plumper” look has been rewarded in the show ring, with judges choosing to place overweight equines over their skinnier counterparts.
Dr. Shannon Pratt-Phillips researched the topic at the 2021 USEF Pony Finals at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington, Ky. Prat-Phillips noted that this trend is worrisome in that extra weight can increase a pony's risk of equine metabolic syndrome and laminitis. Extra weight also adds stress to joints.
Pratt-Phillips and a colleague evaluated 337 medium and large ponies for body condition score and cresty neck score before the ponies entered the show ring to model (an in-hand competition where the entire horse can be viewed without a saddle). The ponies are given scores from 0 to 100 by three judges.
The researchers compared the judge's overall scores to the body condition and cresty neck scores. The overall average showed that most ponies were overweight, with a 6.7 on the body condition score (out of 9). The average cresty neck score was 2.8 on the 5-point scale. This information indicates that most of the ponies at USEF Pony Finals are at risk of developing laminitis.
Comparing condition scores to model scores, it became apparent that overweight ponies were rewarded in the show ring: there was a significant relationship between body condition score and overall model score. Fatter ponies had higher model scores.
When looking solely at the large ponies, any pony with a body condition score below 6 did not garner a model score above 245/300, with an average closer to 225/300. Ponies with a body condition score of 8 or higher had top scores of 235/300, so grossly obese ponies were not rewarded in placings.
The scientists conclude that no matter the pony's conformation, fatter ponies scored better. The duo is concerned that owners and trainers will attempt to add weight to their ponies to try to place better in competitions, putting pony welfare at risk.
Pratt-Phillips recommends that judges and stewards become more educated about body condition scoring and have potential penalties for overweight equines, the same as are in place for equines that are too skinny – often these animals are excused from competition.
Read more at Horse Sport.
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